Where the start with Marrakech? Morocco's Red City is an eternally popular destination, thanks to year round sun, and an excellent shopping, dining, and accommodation scene. Arriving in Marrakech feels far more exotic and further-flung than it's relatively short flight time from much of Europe would suggest. Cart-laden donkeys roam the ancient, meandering web of streets and back alleys that make up the Medina, interspersed with maze-like souks boasting shimmering gold lanterns and intricately hand painted ceramics. It is a visual feast, and assault on the senses, and one of those city's that holds as much charm for first-time visitors as it does hardened travellers on their umpteenth trip.
As for my credentials? I'm a full time travel blogger and creative, and have visited Marrakech multiple times over the years. As such, I'd like to think I've honed a pretty much perfect Marrakech 3 day itinerary. It's got a bit of everything - sightseeing, souks, rooftop restaurants and under-the-radar spots. My style of travel focuses on culture, heritage, and design-led experiences, so if that sounds like a bit of you, this should be right up your (terracotta hued, souk-lined) street!
Where to Stay in Marrakech
Budget Marrakech Hotels
- Riad Dada Massouda: A beautifully design riad in a more local part of the Medina, that provides a real oasis from the city.
- Riad Meriem: This stylish riad offers lots of interesting architectural details for design lovers, set amidst a colour palette of aubergine and lime hues.
- Riad Palais Des Princesses & Spa: Centrally located, rooftop, pool, spa, and wellness centre: this stylish riad offers it all, and at an attractive price point.
- Hotel & Spa Dar Baraka & Karam: The lovely riad has all the hallmarks of a traditional Moroccan stay, and some beautiful larger suites.
Luxury Marrakech Hotels
- La Mamounia: A Marrakech institution, and the ultimate luxury stay for aesthetes looking for an extra special experience.
- La Sultana: Five combined riads make up stylish La Sultana (pictured), a property filled with beautiful craftsmanship and design details.
- Royal Mansour: Another luxury staple in Marrakech, kitted out with a gorgeous spa and two pools.
- Oberoi Marrakech: A sumptious retreat on the outskirts of town, from an iconic Indian brand that know a thing or two about luxury.
- Amanjena: Aman are known for their thoughtfully designed properties, and their Marrakech outpost is no different.
Read More: The Best Hotels and Riads in Marrakech
The Marrakech 3 Day Itinerary
Day 1 in Marrakech: Souks and Sightseeing
Our first day in Marrakech is all about getting our bearings, exploring the Medina, and discovering some of the city's key sights along the way. Of course, no trip to Marrakech is complete without a trip to the souks, so some shopping is on the agenda! I've also included a couple of the city's prettiest restaurants and cafes, to drink and dine surrounded by exquisite Moroccan craftsmanship.
Morning: Medersa Ben Youssef
We're going to start the trip off strong with a visit to one of Marrakech's most beautiful sights: The Medersa Ben Youssef. This 14th century religious school is a striking example of Islamic architecture. This historic Quranic school once house students studying Islamic law and theology. Though no longer an active school, the Medersa is open daily to visitors from 9am to 7pm. Entrance is 50 dirham for foreign tourists, and 20 for Moroccans. I'd recommend going close to opening, as it can get busy. It's one of the most iconic landmarks in the city and a must if you want to discover the intricate craftsmanship and ornate zellige tilework that Morocco is known for. Make sure to head up to the first floor to get a birds eyes view of the courtyard below!
Coffee Break: Dar el Bacha
I don't know about you, but I'm usually craving a cup of caffeine around this time of morning. Thankfully, Marrakech has a great cafe scene. One it's most iconic is Bacha Coffee, a ridiculously picturesque coffee shop set within the Dar El Bacha museum. This is one for the coffee connoisseurs, with a jam packed menu of over 200 single origin coffees hailing from all over the world. If that seems daunting, never fear - the red fez topped wait staff are on hand to provide suggestions. I tried a rather lovely Seville orange flavoured coffee, paired with a few sweet treats from their bakery menu. There's also breakfast options, and larger dishes available later in the day.
Whilst the coffee in itself is enough a draw, the cafe also boasts impressive interiors. Tables are flanked by vast, intricately painted ceramic vases, whilst the coffee bar is lined with jars in the brand's signature orange hue. There's a hint of the grand coffee houses of Vienna, but with a distinctly Moroccan feel.
The only draw is that the cafes popularity comes with heaving crowds. A lengthy queue forms well before opening (10am Tuesday-Sunday) during peak season, and wait times for a table can be several hours. Therefore, arrive a good 30 minutes early for a spot at the head of the queue, or try your luck later in the day when coffee is a slightly less popular choice. You have to buy tickets for museum entry to access the museum, which you can explore while you wait for a table. Oh, and make sure to check out the two on-site shops, where you can pick up coffee and other trinkets to take home. The only issue? Our lovely tin of Bacha coffee has really ruined our usual supermarket go-to!
Le Jardin Secret
Le Jardin Secret is somewhat of a misnomer, as this beautiful Moroccan garden is far from secret. Set in a central thoroughfare within the Medina, it is however a pleasant retreat from the main streets. The garden is in fact two gardens, each with their own distinct aesthetic. There is the exotic garden, and the Islamic garden. The latter is the standout, all green tiles and intricate cutwork centred around a picturesque pagoda. The garden is flanked by two traditional riads, which host temporary exhibition spaces. If you get thirsty, there's also a cafe, though it's on the pricier side.
At time of writing admission is 100 dirhams for foreigners, with entry from 09:30am.
Lunch: Les Jardins Du Lotus
Keeping with the garden theme, lunch is at one of Marrakech's most beautiful restaurants, Les Jardins du Lotus. An airy outdoor courtyard centres around a turquoise pool, whilst pink tiles provide a pop of Instagram-friendly colour, and vast swathes of plants bring the outside in. I'll admit, I was very much lured in by the photogenic interiors (that pink bar!), but the food is actually very good. You'll find some of the better cocktails the city has to offer, and an elevated international menu. It's a pricier meal by Marrakech standards, but if like me you have an appreciation for designed spaces, it's a great choice.
Read More: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Marrakech
Afternoon: Shop the Souks
It's pretty much impossible to visit Marrakech and not get tempted by a trinket or two in the souks, fact. Marrakech's hub of shopping streets are so vast that we're dedicating an afternoon to exploring. Whether you're keen to shop or not, the souks are a fascinating place to experience for the displays of craftsmanship, and sheer amount of goods on offer. You'll find whole streets lit up with rows of lantern shops, squares dedicated to colourful spices, beautifully crafted ceramics, and so much more.
Haggling is very much the norm, and do make sure you've got your currency converter to hand to ensure you don't accidentally pay £100 for something thats worth a tenner! (In a market in China someone once tried to charge me £80 for a couple of small Christmas ornaments, so I've been wary ever since...).
I won't give you specific streets or places to check out here, as part of the fun is just wandering and exploring at a whim. The souks are very much the heart of the Medina so you can't really get lost in a serious way. If you're really not feeling it, however, you can always employ a guide to take you around.
Dinner: La Trattoria
For dinner, we're ending the day at another one of Marrakech's most beautiful restaurants. La Trattoria is a little outside of the main tourist hub, so you may need to grab an Uber or Careem depending on where you're staying. It's well worth the journey, however. This gorgeous spot has been serving up Italian fare since the 70s, and is one of the city's most romantic restaurants. Designed in the traditional riad style, the alfresco courtyard is framed around a pool, with diners lit by a canopy of traditional Moroccan lanterns. The menu centres around pasta, meat and fish dishes, all well crafted and beautifully plated. An advance reservation is recommended, and I'd try to nab a table in the pool terrace.
Day 2 in Marrakech: From Palaces to Rooftops
For day two we're exploring the Southern portion of the Medina. This area of Marrakech tends to be a little less raucous, but still has plenty in terms of sightseeing, shopping, and some of the city's best dining. Here we're going to delve into more Moroccan design and culture, discovering two Marrakech palaces - with plenty of stops to eat and drink along the way!
Morning: Bahia Palace
Built in the late 19th century, Bahia Palace is one of Marrakech's grandest examples of Islamic and Moroccan architecture. Originally designed to house the Grand Vizier to the Sultan, Si Moussa, and his harem, it boasts a number of ornately decorated rooms, gardens, and courtyards. It briefly served as a royal residence, before opening up to the public. It's an excellent place to discover more of Morocco's rich design heritage, with examples of traditional zellige tiles, zouak artwork (traditional painting on wood), and even what is thought to be the first stained glass use in North Africa.
The palace is open from 9am - 5pm, with shortened opening hours during Ramadan. Entrance tickets for foreigners are 100 dirham, or 30 dirham for children up to 13.
Marrakech Outfit Inspiration
Coffee Break: Mandala Society
Particularly in a city as busy and hot as Morocco, I like to get an early start most mornings. So, a mid morning coffee break is a must! Today's spot of choice is Mandala Society, a lovely cafe and rooftop covering several floors on one of the Medina's nicer shopping streets. The drinks menu is expansive - tea, of course, but also smoothies, every sort of coffee, and a whole host of flavoured lattes. Food is healthy, picturesque, and largely vegan and / or vegetarian friendly. Ultimately, the rooftop is an excellent place for an iced drink and a pause in a busy day of exploring.
El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace is located just around the corner from it's flashier neighbour, Bahia Palace, but it's equally worth a visit. Built in the 16th century during the Saadian Dynasty, the palace that once housed a harem of over 500 now largely sits in ruins. During it's peak it hosted extravagant parties and foreign dignitaries, with 360 rooms decorated in the finest materials from across the globe. Unfortunately it was stripped of much of it's grandeur in the 17th century, but the complex itself still houses some surviving structures, which are open to visitors.
There's a fairly dense museum section housing a number of boards charting the history of Marrakech and the palace - which honestly, I've never gotten particularly far with. However the most intact and therefore most interesting section is the open courtyard, pictured, lined with colourful tiles and maze-like walls. Ultimately, there's not masses to see, but with a bit of imagination you can transport yourself back to the opulent days of the Saadian dynasty.
El Badi Palace is open from 9am-5pm, with shortened opening times during Ramadan. Tickets are 100 dirham for foreigners, and 30 dirham for children under 13.
Lunch: Otto Restaurant
It's probably getting pretty hot at this point, but thankfully lunch is just a short walk away. From a deep dive into Marrakech's regal past, we're heading to a thoroughly modern dining experience at Otto, one of the city's many stylish rooftops. Whilst many of Marrakech's dining spots lean in to Moroccan design with a "more is more" approach, Otto is refreshingly pared back. Sleek neutrals, light wood accents, and a sole pop of colour from the line of plants framing the view.
The menu is similarly straight forward - starters, mains, desserts (no small plates, for once!). Dishes are international, a bit of everything from empanadas to pasta. The one key link? Everything is very, very good. I absolutely devoured the braised octopus with a citrus infusion, and could have eaten a vat of the truffled potatoes millefeuille with smoked scamorza. There's also a decently padded alcohol menu if you're looking for something with a kick, including cocktails and Moroccan wines. If you'd rather stay out of the heat they also have an indoor dining room!
Saadian Tombs
As sights go, Marrakech's Saadian Tombs are fairly compact, but holds a fascinating insight into Morocco's past. These lavish 16th century tombs are the final resting place of Morocco's Saadian aristocracy, built with the very best Italian marble and gold gilding, as well as plenty of the country's signature tiles, of course. They were walled off and left untouched for centuries until they were rediscovered in 1917, when they were spotted via aerial photography. The most spectacular of the tombs (pictured) can only be viewed from a small entranceway, which generates fairly lengthy queues. Therefore it's worth either arriving at opening, or later in the day when the tour parties have moved on.
The Saadian Tombs are open from 9am-5pm, with shortened opening times during Ramadan. Tickets are 100 dirham for foreigners, and 30 dirham for children under 13.
Dinner: Dar Dar Rooftop or Le Table du Souk
I'm giving you two options for dinner, depending on your mood. At the first, you'll find a DJ spinning tunes atop the open air rooftop, where stylish tourists and Moroccan locals alike amass to watch the sun set. Dardar Rooftop is one of Marrakech's best known rooftop restaurant hangouts - loud, it's busy, it feels like the place to be. The food menu revolves around a Moroccan take on tapas, as well as a selection of traditional dishes. Alcoholic beverages are also served.
If you're looking for something a little more elevated, one of the city's most sophisticated dining spots can be found on the roof of nearby luxury hotel La Sultana. Le Table du Souk focuses on fresh, local ingredients, celebrating Moroccan produce in market and street food inspired menus. The space itself is a visual feast, liberally decked out in shades of deep green, with plenty of classic tile work. After dinner, grab a cocktail at cocktail bar Odette, also found atop the spacious La Sultana rooftop.
Read More: The Best Rooftops in Marrakech
Day 3 in Marrakech: Design and Dancing
Our last day of this Marrakech 3 day itinerary includes a can't miss experience in the spectacular Jardin Majorelle, before heading back in to the Medina to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the city once more. Finish the day with dinner at one of the city's most prolific restaurants with a belly dancing show, for a final night to remember.
Morning: Le Jardin Majorelle
We're starting the last morning of our Marrakech 3 day itinerary at one of the city's most spectacular sights, and a must for design lovers, Jardin Majorelle. Famous Marrakech resident Yves Saint Laurent's garden and home sits on the outskirts of the old town, with lush exotic foliage leading up to a striking indigo blue building.
Originally conceived by French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1922, the property was bought by Saint Laurent and his business partner Pierre Bergé in 1980. With meandering paths, Art Deco architecture, and a uniquely bold colour scheme, it's a visually sumptuous experience that truly cements Marrakech's reputation as a premier design destination.
Alongside the garden, there's also a cafe and two museums on-site, with the latter requiring separate tickets (or a composite ticket). You'll need to book your tickets online in advance of your visit, and the garden is open from 08:30am to 6pm.
Lunch: Le Salama
For lunch, we're heading back into the heart of the Medina - but sticking to the garden theme under the lush foliage of chic Marrakech hotspot Le Salama. The restaurant is set over several floors, however you really want to head up to the rooftop floor for layered green interiors, and views out over the city beyond.
The menu is classic Moroccan, with mezze style sharing menus, as well as a lengthy curation of couscous and tagine dishes. On our visit we tucked into a selection of mezze bites, including hummus, tabbouleh, and some very tasty cheese filled pastry rolls - all of which was delicious!
If you don't fancy it for lunch, Le Salama also offers evening entertainment with belly dancing and traditional music accompanying dinner.
Afternoon: Jemaa el-Fnaa
By this point you may well have stumbled upon it already, however it's not a trip to Marrakech without a wander round the raucous main square of Jemaa el'Fnaa. You'll see snake charmers, monkeys, tarot readers and a weirdly high number of fresh juice stalls, all competing for your time, attention, and money. It's a bit of an assault on the senses, but nonetheless worth experiencing. Just keep your wits about you - and if it all feels a bit much, head to the rooftop of nearby Mö-Mö to watch the chaos from a safe distance, cocktail in hand.
Dinner: Comptoir Darna
A true Marrakech institution, dinner at Comptoir Darna isn't just a meal - it's an experience. In a modern part of town outside the Medina, it's on a street filled with the sort of faux-glamorous, Casino-esque shiny clubs and restaurants that may make you question where exactly you're heading to. But once inside, there's no doubt. There is the restaurant, outdoor covered terrace seating, a patio, and a club hidden inside the sprawling venue (I have yet to quite make it to the latter, but I like an early bedtime). It's Art Deco meets Morocco meets boudoir all sumptuous red velvets, lanterns, and moody lighting. And it is also, at least the several times I've visited, absolutely rammed. Mostly with tourists, but there's so much going on that this really doesn't make it any less fun.
The food is Moroccan staples - tagines, briouates, pastilla, all very good, especially accompanied by a cocktail or glass of house wine. We particularly enjoyed the "legendary weeping tiger", a beautifully cooked stir-fry style beef tenderloin dish, and the grilled lamb chops. However what you're really here for is the "Oriental Dance Ballet". This performance involves belly dancers and women with candelabras on their heads (why? why not!) performing for around 15-20 minutes across the spaces, and it's a lot of fun. The denouement happens on the main staircase, so try to catch that! There's two shows every evening at 9:30pm and 11:20pm, and it's worth booking a table in advance.
It's probably one of the priciest meals you'll have in the city, but it's nonetheless a pretty perfect way to see out your Marrakech trip in style.
There's so much to do, see, and of course, eat, in Marrakech, however I hope this Marrakech 3 day itinerary has provided you with a solid starting point for your own trip. If you want more Marrakech inspiration and practical tips, make sure to check out my full Marrakech travel hub.
Looking to continue your Morocco adventures? Head to the Atlas Mountains for a stay at the breathtaking Kasbah Tamadot, or check out my guide to the Northern city of Fez.
